The IRS has given me back the money they took from me. It's nice working only in summers. Make a lot of money but then don't have to pay taxes on it. I guess one day I will have to pay mad taxes like everyone else. That will annoy me. For the time being, it's nice not to make enough to be heavily taxed. I was able to buy a ticket to Germany with my tax returns! yay

Friday, May 09, 2003

Please read the last posting regarding Jews in Arab nations. After reading that, ask yourself, does it in any way sound to you like the Arabs are getting closer to accepting Israel? Doesn't to me. Sounds like they hate Jews and Israel. So why the hell do we let any of these countries ever voice their opinions in regards to the Palestinian cause? Obviously they are VERY bias since they openly admit they hate Jews and Israelis by not allowing them to visit their countries.

Fuck their countries. I didn't want to see them anyway. Israel has way more to do and see even though it is a thousand times smaller. People are free to dress how they want, say what they want, eat what they want (for the most part), and do what they want. Israel has beautiful beaches that are so vibrant and with so much action at almost any hour of the day or night. Israel has the most amazing night life. I love Israel and wouldn't give up my Israeli citizenship for anything.

Thursday, May 08, 2003

Are Jews allowed into Arab countries??? The short answer is NO. I asked a friend of mine who is very informed on such matters. He gave me the following explanation:

The answers to these questions are complex. Firstly, most Arab countries and
Islamic fundamentalist countries prohibit holders of Israeli passports to
enter (there are obvious exceptions, such those that Israel has relations
with, like Jordan, Egypt, and Mauretania)--recently, this became an issue
with Iraq War, because Kuwait prohibited Israeli journalists from entering
the country-- ADDITIONALLY, those that have visited Israel are prohibited
from visiting (i.e. if you have a stamp that you've visited Israel, you'll
be turned away). One might argue that prohibiting Israelis from visiting is
understandable since these countries don't have relations with Israel...but
I think the whole stamp issue, is a bit too extreme. Countries like Saudi
Arabia, will even turn you away if you were born in Israel (i.e. but are
French or American, etc.)...(see the U.S. travel advisory:
http://travel.state.gov/saudi.html). From what I understand, if you're
Jewish, I'm not sure if it's officially illegal to visit Saudi Arabia, but
I've heard certain foreign companies that need to send their employees to
Saudi Arabia on business, usually send nonJews, or those without ostensibly
Jewish names. When I had discussed visiting Saudi Arabia with some friends
from Riyadh, and I asked them if Jews were allowed to visit, they said they
weren't sure (one was the son of a Saudi government minister of state!). I'm
positive that non-Moslems are prohibited from visiting certain Islamic holy
sites, like the city of Mecca and Medina.

Concerning safety--well, I'd say there's not a single Arab
country--including those with relations with Israel--that it's wise to
advertize your Jewish ethinicity. Of course, there are exceptions in certain
times of the year--or certain areas--like Lag B'Omer in the El Ghriba
Synagogue in Jerba, Tunisia (generally, Morocco and Tunisia are more
tolerant)...many of these countries are autocratic dicatorships like Syria,
and would be very suspect of somebody who is openly Jewish (i.e. they are a
"Zionist spy")...of course, if you're openly Jewish and openly Anti-Israel,
things could be a little easier--hence, it's not unusual to see the token
anti-Israel Jew speak at an anti-Israel conference in a place like Beirut or
something.

I doubt you'd be able to visit Israel--even if you have American
citizenship--simply because of your name (see the link, above...and even the
State Dept mentions that "American citizens have reported they were refused
a Saudi visa because their passports reflected travel to Israel or indicated
they were born in Israel." Then again, if I were you, I'd be more concerned
about being a woman there, than anything else.

I am really angry. Why you ask? People are pissing me off! I don't want to name names, but let's just say that one thing I can't stand is when someone dares to get mad at me when they are at fault. Man, that gets my blood boiling. Don't play me for an idiot. You may not think I am as smart as you, or as strong as you, but if pushed to it, I can get very angry and snap. I feel that I have become too passive. I let people get away with a lot more just because I don't have the energy to get worked up about things. It's a waste of energy and in the long run will wear me down much faster than just letting things go. But there is a limit to how much of a push over I will be. The time has come. I cannot continue letting you slap me in the face and just shrug it off. From now on this is war. You have unleashed the bitch in me. Beware! The shit is about to hit the fan.

Wednesday, May 07, 2003

Tuesday, May 06, 2003

So it appears that Israel has raised another concern it has with the Roadmap to Peace. They are asking that "the Palestinians must drop their demand for Arab refugees' "right of return" to Israel if negotiations are to proceed." (from AP). This is only logical isn't it? If they are to have their own country, which is the hopeful end results of the roadmap, then why would they want to all move into Israel? It would seem to me that they would want to move into their newly formed country to start making it blossom and grow.
And also, I want to know who died and made Erekat the spokesman of the Palestinian people. He has nothing positive to say ever. He is always verbally attacking the Israelis intentions. He is bad news and I wish he would shut the hell up. He is stirring up trouble and for no good reason other then that he is a hater. I hope no one takes offense when I say fuck him. From AP, "Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat said Sharon is stalling and trying to kill the plan." No Mr. Shithead Erekat, YOU are trying to kill the plan by putting doubt in your people's minds about Israel's intentions and integrity to go along with the plan. It's about give and take. You can't just ask and ask for more things and expect Israel to bend over backwards just because she is tired of seeing her people murdered in cold blood. You will learn that in diplomacy you must negotiate. Screw you and go to hell.
I know for a fact that Israel wants peace. Look at her history. Every opportunity she had to make peace she took it. So stop with the bullshit that Israel is trying to kill the peace plans.

I have been thinking a lot lately about how I am really a woman of the world. I am not saying I know a lot about the world or that I have seen a lot of it, but I can safely say that combined with my closest friends we have seen a lot for being only 20 years of age. I have seen all of Israel,and parts of France, Thailand, England, Spain, Mexico, and Canada! That is pretty impressive I think for someone who is about to turn 21. I have planned another trip to Europe at the end of this summer. I am going to Berlin and from there plan to go to Prague, Budapest, and Vienna. Should be fun and educational.
To add to this, I have a friend who is currently spending a year abroad in Bolivia. As part of her education, she has gotten to travel to a lot of the countries in South America and has seen things and done things that she never would have experienced here in the US. Another friend of mine is spending the year abroad in England where she is learning that England sucks (in terms of weather, cost and things like that...). And my other very good friend has been all over the world! She is truly a woman of the world. She has spent extensive periods of time in South Africa as well as went through pretty much all of Europe (that little biatch..no I am just jealous). In fact, she will be living in Berlin this summer and I will be visiting and travelling with her. Should be a lot of fun.
In any case, I recently came to the conclusion that I should do a lot of travelling while I am still young, free, and able. Thankfully, I have the funds to do so. Once I graduate and am suppose to begin acting responsibly (ie. get a job) I may not have the time to go on these trips. The trip this summer will only be 2 weeks due to an internship (although it is an internship I would have given a kidney to get if they asked for it...ok maybe not...but I am so thrilled they chose me!).

Anyway, just kind of interesting to think about how amazing this world is. Europe is so amazing. I had so much fun in England and Barcelona. I am in love with Barcelona. The men are hot, the food is good, and there is a sense of freedom that I don't feel here. Plus, there are things to do at night past 10pm which is unheard of in Palo Alto (especially if you aren't 21). I am really starting to resent the 21 year drinking age. It makes little sense to me and I think that it is another thing I will have to research. I don't see how this law stops people under 21 from drinking. Sure, they can't purchase the alcohol, but in college you don't need to purchase alcohol to drink. So in my opinion, it is a futile law. If someone could tell me how it is helping anyone let me know!!!

Sunday, May 04, 2003

I took an online test in which you choose different colored boxes in the order you prefer them and from that, it could assess the mood you were in. The results were freakishly accurate:
At this particular time you are perhaps setting yourself too high a target and so you are living in the land of 'make believe'. It would also seem that you have been bitterly disappointed in the past and you are at a stage where you feel that you can trust nobody. You would like to forget it all and turn your back on the past and start anew.

You are a very warm and emotional individual but unfortunately in the past too many people have taken advantage of this sensitive trait. You need aesthetic surroundings, or an equally sensitive and understanding partner with whom to share a warm understanding.

Although you are, deep down, a very caring person, you are very particular in the choice of friends and indeed very demanding at times. You can be most quarrelsome and controversial and it is because of this argumentative trait you can at times explode into open conflict - conflict with even those you may care for and love. It is because of this inherent argumentative streak in you that may have resulted in broken hopes and dreams.

All the distress and agitation is the result of attempting to avoid any form of stimulation or excitement. The situation in which you find yourself at this time is one of hostility and therefore you are under considerable pressure. You are very irritable and prone to angry outbursts. You are in a mental quandary and you could be experiencing physical problems.You are very distressed by the apparent hostility of everyone around you and you feel coerced and subjected to intolerable pressures. You are resentful of what you regard as unreasonable demands on you but the situation is such that you feel powerless to control it and at this time you just don't know 'which way to turn'.

You are worn out and lack both physical and mental energy. This lack of vitality has created an intolerance for any further excitement and you feel that you just cannot carry on; but you have been like that many times before and the situation passed. You again need to get away from it all - even if it is only for a little while. A relaxed body cannot contain a destructive emotion and the secret for you is to just relax.

I went to a party last night to celebrate Yom Hatzmaot (Israel's Independence Day). I was under the impression it would be full of people my age, from Berkeley and other bay area colleges. When I got there I saw lots of much much older people. People that could easily be 35-40 years old preying on young college girls. *shudder*. I was hoping I would have the opportunity to meet some nice Jewish boys but instead I had a good guy friend of mine protect me from the rejects that kept coming near me. To top it off, the music sucked. They played songs that I had never heard before and songs from when I was in middle school. They did play a few Israeli songs, but kept playing the same ones! The DJ couldn't mix and the songs skipped periodically. To top it off, they kept interrupting in the few good songs they played to make stupid announcements. Even with all of this, I still managed to enjoy myself. Got my groove on and saw some people I hadn't talked to in a very long time.

And while I'm on the subject, Happy Birthday Israel! 55 years. What a miracle.

WELCOME to my blog! I recently graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a Bachelor's of Science
in Bioengineering. I am so excited about starting a new chapter of my life. I am off to travel for a while and then settle down
for an indefinite amount of time in Erez Israel. I will be in New Zealand for 2 months (jan-mar) and then should hopefully arrive in
Israel in time for Pesach (Passover).

Things I like to write about:

I write about all kinds of things but mostly about how I see and view the events that happen around me
and around the world. Some topics of interest are: Israel, biology, health, Judaism, Berkeley insanity, and the general insanity around the world. Obviously, everything here is my opinion.
I write about events the way I see them, through my eyes. During my traveling, I hope to update about the things I see. I love to explore the world and meet people and see different things.
So enjoy!